A young Azerbaijani turns an inherited land into an agrotourism centre

Goygol, Azerbaijan (ILO News) - Togrul Huseynli, a 25-years-old history graduate residing in Goygol, Azerbaijan has transformed his inherited family land into an agrotourism business. Goygol, renowned for its stunning natural beauty, has always captivated Togrul, inspiring him to share this valuable part of the country with others by offering a peaceful, nature-immersed experience. However, with no prior experience in the field of agrotourism, he faced uncertainty about how to begin.

Agrotourism, which merges agriculture and tourism, fosters rural economic growth while providing people living in cities with unique opportunities to reconnect with nature. Determined to take his first step, Togrul participated in the SIYB (Start and Improve Your Business) training organized by Ekvita Consulting & WEglobal Consortium on 26 October 2023. The training equipped him with knowledge for starting and managing an agritourism business. Additionally, on 27 December 2023, he was provided with the equipment to support his business.

I am deeply thankful to my trainer for teaching me essential skills in financial management, human resources, cash flow planning, and profit-and-loss analysis.
Togrul Huseynli

Armed with these skills, Togrul established Sevgi Kampı, a camping and recreation center rooted in agrotourism principles. The site currently has 3 to 4 small cottages, a lake, and abundant trees. His primary goal is to showcase the natural beauty of Azerbaijan while delivering high-quality, comfortable leisure experiences. Agrotourism also provides a platform for promoting local culture and agricultural practices. 

The training provided practical strategies that helped me to manage my work effectively and gave me the confidence to begin my journey in agrotourism and establish a thriving business.

Togrul Huseynli